“Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, adorned with the sun, standing on the moon, and with the twelve stars on her head for a crown”. (Rv 12:1)

The above verse from the Book of Revelation refers to the Blessed Virgin Mary with Whom Joy had a unique bond by Joy’s birth on the 15th of August which is the universal Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary body and soul into Heaven.
Joy was a daughter of Mary, praying the Rosary and doing the Novena to Mary, Untier of Knots, entrusting her trials and concerns to Mary the Mother of Jesus
Joy in Heaven, happy birthday & happy Feast of the Assumption!!

Dear Joy,
My true big sis for life...today is one year since you went Home, but it seems like yesterday- just like Mama and Gussy. But I am really happy for you because you are in the best company EVER.  This story is about the 19th of March 2022. It was a beautiful day. Your remains were laid to rest between the best people ever - Mama and Gussy. The Service was beautiful. The first of it's kind in Agulu! Some people couldn't comprehend your being inside that quaint little urn. A whole you! 'Ada nnuku'! ( great daughter). The choir was amazing. They sang like angels, if Nina had been there, she would have given them a high five and invited them to the London Opera House (if she could). The Vicar also did a great job. Your remains were laid to rest in 'country' style (ok, village style), deserving of a great and successful daughter of Agulu. The Umu Ada danced and sang for you, we joined them. ... it was a good day. There was food, family, music and laughter in the right 'dose'. A lovely farewell. I am sure your spirit was there...not wanting to miss out on a good 'party'. Your remains now lay in our Garden of Angels with our other departed angels. The sadness that weighed so heavily on my heart was lifted when the last bit of soil was put on your grave. Your  'final resting place' wish fulfilled....
Sleep well dear sister of mine.  Miss you plenty. Much love ❤

Aunty Joy was like a mother to me. When I came to be a student in the UK at boarding school from the age of 13 to 18 she would take me home for exeat weekends and half terms where I would stay with her and her family in London. I always felt welcome and loved under her roof. We would go to 'the pictures' together (as she still insisted on calling it) and cook a big lunch on Sundays with her mum. We would have long discussions about politics, culture and current affairs - she always spoke in a measured, rational and calm tone; I rarely won an argument with Aunty Joy. She gave me gentle advice on life, career and everything else. 

I love and miss her dearly and pray for her, knowing she is with our Saviour in heaven and we will meet again. Rest in peace Aunty Joy. 

Tribute to Joy by Selasi Okudzeto & Family 


I first met Joy at my Hairdressing studio in East Finchley 25 Years ago. 
She became a regular client as a result we struck up a long-lasting loving relationship. 
Through Joy I met their mother Mrs Okoye and subsequently the rest of the family. 

Mrs Okoye affectionately embraced me as a daughter and regularly reminded me of how her daughter Judith and I look alike. 
During my acrimonious divorce Joy assisted me with all her heart and supported me emotionally. 
During Joys 60th Birthday I was pleased to be part of the celebration in Barcelona. 

Academic Joy was getting ready for the main celebration but she had no intention to style her hair or make up. 
I took a look at Joy and said you need a DUCHESS SELASI TOUCH hence I style her hair and gave her a beautiful Make over. 

A memorable celebration as Joy was so thrilled and happy to be surrounded by selected family and friends. 
My overall description of Joy will be tenacious, diligent, robust, very loving, and generous to a fault, forever helpful at the same time, NO Nonsense. 

Joy may your generous soul rest in perfect peace 

You will be greatly missed, but not forgotten. 

2nd Timothy 4:7 
Selasi

I have known Joy for over 20 years. Initially advising me in my numerous court cases. Pretty soon we struck a loving and long friendship. For me Joy was loving and generous with a considerable gusty personality. She would not hesitate to express her views sometimes to her own detriment.

I recall the last case she represented me. We had travelled to Truro in Cornwall – some 5 hours journey each way. We lost the case, but Joy felt it was an unfair and unjust decision. She did not hesitate and in her usual gusty manner told the Judge exactly what she thought of him and his decision. I felt she had put her career on the line for me.

When my family heard she was ill, my son, daughter and sister did not hesitate to lovingly assist with her care, which was an indication of what Joy meant to me.

I loved her dearly.

May her soul finally rest.

Farewell my dear friend until we meet again.

Josephine

I met Joy in 2006 when my family and I went to England for a vacation, she was kind enough to let us stay at her home for three week. Joy was my uncle Ralph Straker were very good  friends and he was the person who arrange where we will stay. 
She was a very loving and kind person who welcome us into her home with open arms. Her only rule to us was not to eat in her bedrooms . 
We had a wonderful time that year it England. Every morning I would see her in the Garden looking at her roses. She was throughly a wonderful person. During our last week there Joy and her parents left us in her home to go to Nigeria. On her return she told my uncle how please she was with the way we had leave her house, cleaner than she left it. 
She told him we were welcome to stay by her anytime we were in England. 
No more pain, no more tears you are in God’s hand and with you dear friend Ralph.
On behalf of Richard, Idalia and Nicholas Arthur I wish to offer my sincere condolences to your family.
May She Rest In Peace 

To me Joy was Auntie, but also so many other things. I looked up to her as a strong and inspirational woman who could command a room with her presence, wit and intelligence, but also her smile, those dancing eyes and her kindness. She made me feel so welcome when I visited, ushering me in with genuine delight at seeing me and my sisters, wanting to know how we were, that we were being cared for and where she could support us. She cared about us enough to be honest and forthright in her views which I respected greatly, always with our best intentions in mind. Auntie Joy never failed to make us feel loved and cared for and good about who we were and the direction we were going in. 

I have such lovely memories of my wedding day, and so many fun photos of Joy with all the guests from both sides of the family. You only had to meet her once for her to make a lasting impression. As always she was friendly, fun and always curious. Auntie Joy was always curious to really get to know people, she always took the time to listen. 

Sh had such a big heart and a never ending capacity for giving! She was generous to the core, always looking to support others and dutiful to her family and friends out of a deep love for them. She accepted and loved me for who I was, just as I was. I will greatly miss her and wish with all my heart that I’d had many more conversations and chances to see her. She was always there for me, unfaltering and consistently and I hope she knows how much I loved her. I have the sweetest memory of seeing the joy on her face as I told her we were expecting our first baby, and the little dance we did around the kitchen. She will always be in our hearts. 

Joy Okoye was my sincere friend and relation. Joy, I let you go with heavy heart and immense loss. Barrister Joy Okoye, I bless the day you were born and the day you left this world to meet your Heavenly Father who knows you and call you by name and says that you are His. I know you are now in your heavenly mansion specially prepared for you by our lord. I miss you my sweetheart. I cherish the times we spent together and they will remain sweet memories till we meet again to path no more. Rest on Joy Okoye because you deserve to rest on. You were  a beautiful flower inside and out. Your generosity was second to none. You gave and gave and gave to anybody and everybody. Though you had no biological children but you were mother to all. Love you with my heart.